Costume for use in modeling dresses and the like



June 15, 1943. I G. R. CORNELL 2,321,584

COSTUME FOR USE IN MODELING -1RESSES AND 'THE LIKE Filed March 25, 1941 GM T/Pl/DE A 077?" Com/ELL INVENTOE i) 4' I 4770/F/VEY Patented June 15, 1943 COSTUME FOR USE IN MODELING DRESSES AND THE LIKE Gertrude Ruth Cornell, Toronto, ntario,- Canada Application March 25, 1941, Serial No. 385,210

I 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a costume particularly adapted for wear by mannequins While modeling dresses and the like. The costume includes, in combination, a mask of relatively rigid material covering the face, a garment of relatively resilient material enclosing the head, neck and shoulders of the wearer and preferably extending to the waist and enclosing the arms andthe hands. A wig is preferably attached to the garment and means are provided for drawing the garment into substantially formfitting relationship with the contours of the head and body of the wearer.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a form of costume for use by mannequins whereby contrasting and startling efi'ects in colour and facial arrangements may be produced in order to accentuate the appearance of the particular dress which is being modeled.

Another object is the provision of a f0r m of costume of the kind described, which may be used on store display models, whereby the appearance of the models may be kept up-todate with the current trend of styles. As a result of the application of my invention in this manner, it is possible to avoid the purchase of new models, except for replacement due to breakage, inasmuch as the appearance of a stock model may be readily changed to suit the fashion of the period.

Heretofore, in modeling dresses at fashion shows, it has been necessary to utilize models having exceptional pleasing facial contours, in addition to such specific characteristics as proportionate weight, height and shapeliness. In addition, it is necessary to have the face, hair and hands of such models specially made up to accentuate the individual beauty of the gown being modeled in order to produce a highly pleasing appearance. One of the difficulties in modeling dresses is, of course, that the make-up of the wearer must conform with the type of dress being modeled and must be such as to accentuate the beauty of the dress, not detract from it.

It is the purpose of this invention to facilitate the modeling of dresses and to present contrasting colour combinations which will accentuate the appearance of the dresses.

An understanding of the present invention may be had from the following description and accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front view partly in perspective of the mask forming part of the costume;

Figure 2 is a side view of the mask;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the costume showing the preferred method of closing; and

Figure 4 is a front view of the complete costume.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawing.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral i indicates a mask formed of relatively rigid material such as paper mach, plastics or the like. The mask is preferably designed to enclose the entire facial features of the wearer and impart thereto an ultra-modern stylized effect.

The numeral 2 indicates a garment of fiexible material such as jersey cloth, glove silk, and the like, adapted to be drawn into formfitting relation with the body of the wearer. The garment 2 fully encloses the head 3, neck t and shoulders 5 of the wearer, extending preferably to the waist 6 and formed with sleeves I which terminate in gloves 8 thereby completely enclosing the arms and hands. a

The garment is preferably assembled to form one piece with an opening at the back extending from the head to the Waist. This opening may be closed in any suitable manner, such as by a slide fastener 9. The body portion of the garment is preferably provided with a strip of elastic material I!) which holds the garment j snugly around the body of the wearer and pre- 30 vents any locseness or sagging.

The mask I is preferably made of relatively stiiT material such as papier mach or plastics and the features are designed to present an attractive appearance. In order to accommodate a variety of head sizes, the mask is made slightly larger than the average head size. The masks may be prepared in any of the known ways and, of course, openings are provided to permit breathing and vision in the usual manner.

A wig H is provided and may be sewn to the head portion of the garment 2 or may be separately attachable thereto. The Wig may be made of any suitable material to produce ultra modern effects.

In assembling the invention, the mask covers completely the facial contours of the wearer, with the exception, of course, of the openings for breathing and vision. The mask, in turn, is completely enclosed, with the exception of corresponding openings, by the head portion of the garment which, being of slightly resilient material, conforms with the contours of the mask in form-fitting relationship therewith.

The garment 2 may be cut in one piece but, in order to save material, it is preferably made in separate pieces and joined together by seams. If desired, the seams may be made in a manner as to permit easy adjustments as to size and are placed in such a manner as to be concealable by the use of bracelets or necklaces.

In preparing the costume, the face and body portions may be coloured in any shade which is desired or required to suit the colour scheme of the dress to be modeled. In addition, the face and eye portions of the costume may be made up artistically, as illustrated in Figure 4, to accentuate the lines and. appearance of the dress being modeled.

It will be understood, of course, that anycomj I bination of colours may be employed in the use of the costume. As an example of an application of my invention for use in modeling dresses, the costume may be made up in black with vividly coloured fingernails, tips and eyebrows with extraordinarily long eyelashes and an extremely modemistic coiifure. Such a costume would be particularly suitable for modeling a white evening gown, the principal object being to produce colour contrasts which serve to accentuate the appearance of the gown.

It may be pointed out that the masks are made for the purpose of glamourizing the mannequin, rather than to distort the features.

The costume is particularly suitable for use by living models but may be used on display models of the type commonly used in store windows. In either instance, the costume is designed to be worn under the garment bein modeled.

It will be clearly understood that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art in the light of the teachings herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A costume for use in modeling clothes com-,.

. lower extremity thereof, and means for closing said opening, and a wig detachably secured to the head portion of said garment.

2. A costume for use in modeling clothes comprising, in combination, a facial mask formed of relatively rigid material, a resilient cloth-like garment shaped to cover said mask and enclose completely the head and upper body portion of the wearer in substantially form fitting relationship therewith, said mask providing a. relatively rigid base for the front of the head portion of the resilient cloth-like garment in form fitting relation ship therewith, and sleeves terminating in gloves forming a part of said garment, an opening in said garment extending from the head to the lower extremity thereof, and a wig detachably secured to the head portion of said arment.

3. A costume for use in modeling clothes comprising, in combination, a facial mask formed of relatively rigid material, a resilient cloth-like garment shaped to cover said mask and enclose completely the head and the upper portion of the body of the wearer, including the arms and hands, in substantially form fitting relationship therewith, said face mask providing a relatively rigid base for the front of the head portion of the resilient cloth-like garment in form fitting relationship therewith, an opening in the resilient garment extending from the head to the lower extremity of the body portion thereof, and means 30: for closing S Op and a'wig detachably secured to the head portion of said garment.

4. A costume for use in modeling clothes comprising, in combination, a facial mask formed of relatively rigid material, a resilient cloth-like garment shaped to cover said mask and enclose completely the head and upper body portion of the wearer in substantially form fitting relationship therewith, said face mask providing a relatively rigid base for the front of the head portion of the resilient cloth-like garment in form fitting relationship therewith, said garment being formed in a plurality of sections joined together by means of adjustable seams, an opening in said garment extending from the head to the lower extremity of the body portion thereof, and means for closing said opening, and a band of resilient material around the lower end of the body portion of said garment, and a wig detachably secured to the head portion of said garment.

GERTUDE RUTH CORNELL. 

